Math Best Practices: Center City Shares Their Work On Math Coherence

This past October, academic leaders from across the city gathered at Center City Brightwood to observe math classrooms and learn about their work to build math coherence from elementary grades to Algebra. This visit allowed Center City PCS to highlight their multi-year work to adopt high-quality math instructional materials, share advice and best practices from that work, and answer questions from academic leaders at other DC public charter schools.

Visitors observed 1st and 4th grade math classes, and an Algebra class. They also heard from Center City PCS leaders, including Kate Merrill, the Managing Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Emily Strohbeck, the Associate Director, K-8 Mathematics, and Alexis Fields, Associate Director of Student Support. Together, they were able to talk about the math journey Center City has been on, how they keep educators focused on the most impactful strategies to move student learning, and their professional development strategy for teachers.

This math-focused visit comes at a time when Washington, DC makes a historic investment in math education.  DC public charter schools are excited to work alongside DCPS as part of the Capital Math Collective, a cross-sector partnership to accelerate math outcomes for all students across the District. Public charter schools have been at the forefront of adopting high-quality math instructional materials and adopting innovative strategies to improve math outcomes for students. This partnership will fund 12 public charter LEAs to work with EmpowerK12 to improve math instruction.

This visit is part of a series of school visits to highlight best practices and promote collaboration among LEA academic leaders. In addition to Center City Brightwood, academic leaders have observed and learned from Statesman College Preparatory Academy for Boys, DC Bilingual, Garrison Elementary (DCPS), and DC Prep Edgewood, with two more visits scheduled for the remainder of the calendar year. Each visit has a focus: a program, initiative, or other priority of the school that has resulted in strong student outcomes. An expert from the school leads the visits to share advice, insights, and details on implementation and change management.